Store-service apparatus.



0..Is. JENNINGS. STORE BEBVIGE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE-24, 190a Patented Feb. 24,

'SKBETB BHBET 1.

W. Wa Wu, M /W u. s. Jmmmes. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

, m APPL'IOATION FILED JUNE 24, 1908. jf mw Patented Feb. 24:, I914. 4 BHEBTfF-SHEBT 2.

7 1 2W AX W ,M

0. s. JENNINGS V STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 24, 1908. I

I Patented Feb.- 24, 1914:.

4 SHEETS-41111111! 3.

- 0. sh JENNINGS. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1008.

Patezited Feb. 24-, 1914:.

4 SHEETS-SHEET L till.

lllllhl li'ltlllftl l d PTENT CHESTER S, JENNINGS, 03E! BUSTUN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MES ASSIGN' MIZIIJ'IE-l, Tl) .lMERl'CAN PNEUMATIC SERVICE COMPANY, OF BQSTDN, IliAElbTlltd Sld'llllS. A GQRPOBATION OF DELAWARE.

STOREfiERVICE APPARA/FCUE-l.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Et eh.

Application filed June 24:, 1908. Serial No 440,078.

2'0 all "(o/mm it may concern:

Be it ltnown that l, Cn'nsrnn S. JENNINGS, citizen of the United States, residing at Bos ton, in the county of Sutl'oll: and State Of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Store-Service Apparatus; and. I do hereby declare the fol lowing to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to store service apparatus, and more especially to that class of apparatus in which a basket or receptacle is detachahly secured to a carrier mounted to travel on an elevated wire or way, and in which mechanism is provided at the end of the way for raising and lowering the reccp tacle to attaelrit to or detach it from the carrier.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus ol this type having its parts constructed and arranged in an ll'llPl'OVQCl and sii'l'iplilied manner.

To this end the invention conteinplatcs the provision of improved mechanism for auton'iatically locking the receptacle to the carrier when it is raised by the elevator mechanism, and for releasing the receptacle from. the carrier and connecting it with the elevator inecl'nmisin when it is desired to de tach and. lower the receptacle.

The invention also contemplates the provision oil? improved means for preventing the despatching or" the carrier from a station when the receptacle is detached. from the carrier.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means "for retaining the carrier at the end of the way in. proper relation or reg} istcr with the elevating mechanism when the receptacle is detached from the carrier, so that the proper operation of the locking" devices when the carrier is raised by the elevating mechanism is secured.

The invention also contemplates the prol'l l()l1 of improved means for applying a retarding or braking lrielion to the carrier as it a] proaches the ends of: the way on which it travels.

The invention also includes certain further feature-cs and combinations, the advantages of which will he apparent to any on:

skilled in the art from the followin tion of an apparatus embed" features.

The various features of the in motion will be readily understood from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation showing an appa- *atus embodying the various features of the invention in their preferred forms; I? 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the devices for locking the receptacle to the carrier, and for preventing the despatch of the carrier when the receptacle is not attached to the carrier; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View on line 3 43, Fig 2; Fig. -.lis a bottom plan View of the parts shown in 2, the elevator stirrup being omitted; and Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views showing the locking devices in dill'erent positions.

In the apparatus shown in the drawings descripng said the way on which the carrier is adapted to travel in passing from one station to another consists oi a wire 1 which is supported at its opposite ends from hangers and 3 depending; from the ceiling and secured in position in the usual manner. A wire 41 is arranged directly below and parallel to the way wire 1, and these wires are connected at one end to the opposite ends of a lever 5 which is mounted on a head plate 6, and at the other end are connected to tensioninp; de vices (not shown) carried by a head plate '4, the points of attachment ot the wires hein such that the wires are held parallel to each other. The head plate 7 is pivotally conneeted at 8 to a'hracket 9 whicn is adjust ably secured upon the hanger 2. The head plate 6 is pivotally connected to a brac act 10 which is clamped upon a plate 1]. carried by the hanger 3, the connection between the head plate and bracket being such that the head plate may move about "a horizontal or vertical axis in accommodating itself to the position and adj us nient oi the wires 1 and 4t.

The carrier comprises a frame 152 formed of two connected side plates which are provided with arms 13 arrangedto extend upward on opposite sides of the wires 1 and 41, and carry wheels t which run upon the wire 1. The means :01. pmpellinp," the can riae'e along: the way 1 cons "ts of propelling cords arranged at each end of the wayand vii) ented a the le t cashier or salesmen as the is ccse Ailey ie. The ee-shiers stetion is indi- Q A 1 m n". station s indicated at right propelling cord is at the cushiers station is connected to an operating lever pivoted upon an arm 17 of the head plate 6, and corrying pulleys 18 over which the propelling cord passes. The cord extends from the point 19 where it is attached to the lever over the pulley 20 mounted on the head plate 6, over one of the pulleys 18 on the lever 16, and over pulley 21 on the head plate. From the pulley 21 the cord extends parallel to the wire 1, and passes over it pulley 22 mounted in a fork 23 at one side of the path of travel of the carrier. After passin over the pulley 22, the cord extends across to the other side of the plane of the wires 1 and 4:, and thus across the path of the carrier 12, and passes around a second pulley 22 mounted in the fork 2S, and thence over pulleys corresponding to pulleys 21, 18 and 20, and is attached at 19 to the operating lever 16; The fork 23 extends over thepsth of the pulleys let on the cenrier 12, end is supported upon rods 2% to the outer ends of which the arms of the fork are secured. The inner ends of the rods 24ers secured in socket pieces 25 arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of the carrier, and secured to the outer ends of tubes 26, the inner ends of which tire secured to the head plate 6. The rods and tubes 26 are in line with each other, so that the rod may telescope within the tube 26 in adjusting the position of the for; 23. Each socket sleeve is pro vided with a vertical arm 27 which is connected by a stay rod 28 with a bracket sleeve 29 adjustably secured on the hanger 3.

The propelling cord 30 at the salesmans station is supported and arranged in the path of the carrier by devices similar to those by which the propelling cord is sup ported at the csshiers station. The ends of the cord are connected at 31. to block 32 carrying two pulleys 33, and the cord eX- t-enrls from the points of attachment 31 over pulleys 34; mounted on the loreclset 9, over the pulleys on the block over pulleys 35 mounted on the head plate 7. From the pulleys 35 the cord extends forward persllel to the wires 1 i, and passes over pull ys 36 carried n the arms of the fork 37, the cord extendihg from one pulley 36 to the other across the path of the curries fin operating handle 38 s connected to the h loi-lc 32, so that the sulesnmn may readily operate the propelli cord in dcspntchiug tho'cerrier. The fOlli 3T secured on the op ter ends of rods 39, the other entls oi "which are secured in socket SlQi 4.0. The

socketure secured upon 1-116 outer end: of the tubes ii, the inn r ends of which ecured to the head plate Ti. 'l he rods t 11 Fig. 1 while the salesi i i being limited by steps 56 which to engage the carrier. After the latch has 39 may telescope within tu e-s aidgusting the 2% into the (tee: position' 7 I I '1 i way on wince I, l hing devices i session the earr g i tion until the propel. when the latching (le 1-288 disengage allow the carrier to move forward under the action of the propelling cordp These latchinp; and cushioning devices in the form shown comprise steps is and arranged at opposite ends of the way and cooperating latch lE-JQTS all and to on the cerrirr The stop is mounted en L6 of the heed plate 7, ancl'is held in position by cushioning spring ET- and 48. The forward cool. of the stop is supported and held in proper relation with the wire 1 by engagement with the wire 4 which passes through an so of the stop. The latch. ie is provided with e bifurcated end, the arms 01" which are arranged to pass on opposite sides 03": the stop 42 and carry aroll for ena retaining shoulder '51 on the stop is, cord is cool The latch e l: is pivoted on the carrier, and

is provided with s- Verticel actuating arm 52 which is arranged to engage the propelling cord 30 as the carrier approaches the end of the way,'an i to draw the propelling cord into the position indicated in Fig, 1. The latch is held in normal position with stop shoulder 58 on the latch in engagement with a shoulder 5i carrier hy a, spring (Fig. 2}.

W hen the salesman epplies a pull to the cord 30 by drawing down on the handl the cord, acting on the arm 52 of the latch lever, rocks the lever Quits pivot in s direction to disengzige the roll 50 from the shoulder 51, the rocking nio'-'v'enient of the hitchlever: are arranged been disengnged the continued pull on the cord draws forward the loop of cord which extends from the pulleys 36 around the arm 52 on the carrier, and as the carrier is now free to move this pull on the cord (lespetches the-"urrier one sends it to the other end of the way. As the carrier enters the ceshiers station, the arm o the cord 15 between the pulleys 22 and carries a loop of cor-z hack into position corresponding; to the position of the con-(l 30 in l it. its the carrier reaches the end of the way, the roll on the latch 45 he latch lever l5 en v rides oi'er the incline on the stops?) and 1 ill lJE;

eoeazeaa vided ioaueoi aiieally looking the hasket n to the carrier when it is raised by the elevator mechauia i, and l'Ul automatically dis engaging the she iroin the carrier when it is desired to lower the basliet. The elevator mechanism comprises a stirrup provided with a suppoi lug bar ill, and two oppoextending arms 62 to whien the lower ends of the elevating eorris (33 are secured, The "cords pas; up on OPPOSllG sides of the pail]. oi travel of the carrier, and are surrounded by flexible sleeves (i which are secured in the ssisrup arms, and are provided at tl'ieir upper ends with caps (35. The up per ends of the sleeves are arranged to engage disks (So which are mounted to slide in tubes ill, and are held at the bottoms of ihe tubes by soiled springs (38,. The tubes (37 are ad iustably secured in clump sockets G9 l'orn'ied in. the soekei; sleeves 40, and are connected at their upper ends by a yoke which extends from one tube to the other over the path of travel of the carrier Wheels 14- 3}. The elevator eords 63 pass up through the tube oi and over pulleys 71 mounted in the yoke '20, and from these pullays pass up over pulleys 72 and Rift) connected to a eountenweight 73. The weight 73 is suilicient to counter-balance the weight of the stirrup, and acis to hold the stirrup in the position indicated in, Fig. 3 when the basket i' supported and carried by the earriei 'i lL rod or Quart hi l is connected to the weight ii-i, and extends down to Within con venient l'L eh of the salesman, so that he may operate the elevator cords to raise and lower the basket. iihe pulleys 72 are niount ed in a bracket 75 which is adiustably cured to the hanger The yoke '70 and attaehed tubes and socket sleeves 40 are connected by a stay rod 76 with the bracket 75.

The carrier provided with two depending; arms 7 which form a transverse vertical slot 7% iior receiving a crossbar "79 formed on the bail plate (20. The lower ends of the arms 7'? curve Ol'ltWfLl'd-tO form a daring mouth for lhoislot 78, so ti at the bar 79 will be guided into the slot when the bail plate is raised. The bar TQextends downwl d from the latmrally extending arms 80 oi the hail plate, and is provided with flanges arranged to on opposite sides of the arms T7 on the carrier, and hold the .hail plate from lateral movement. The bar bii'uroated lever.

then move forward into the recess 82 and below the upper section of the bar '79, and 75 securely lock the bail plate so the carrier.

The means for disengaging the locking pawl from the lockingbar comprises an aetasting pawl 85 which is pivoted at 86 between the arms of a bifurcated lever 87-, which is in turn pivoted upon the pivot 8% for the locking pawl, the looking pawl be ing recessed. at its lower end to receive the The two arms of the lever 87 are connected by a web 88. The lever is 85 connected with the locking pawl by a swing 90 and is forced yieldingly forward by a spring 8 which is coiled about the pivot and has one end connected with the plate 558 and the other end bearing against the car-- .rier. The locking pawl is provided with a stop pin 90 arranged to be engaged by the upper end of the lever 87, so that the spring 89- tends to retain the locking pawl in position across the slot 7b. The actuating pawl g5, 85 is normally held by a spring 91 in position with its upper end resting against the upper part of the locking pawl, and its lower end to one side of the slot '78, as indicated in Fig. 6.

il'hen the basket or receptacle is detached from the 'arrier, the bottom of the bar if) restsupon the crossbar 6L of the stirrup, as indicated in Fig. 6. hen in this-position, the receptacle is locked to the stirrup by means of a lockingawl H) which pivoted at its upper end in the bail plate no, and is pressed yieldingly lor 'ard by a spring 92; The lower end of the pawl is provided with a hook l-larranged to engage a pinlllfi on lllll one of the stirrup arms (32, the arm being ro cessed to receive the pawl 32 iihen the airrier is in the position indi salted at the right in Fig.1 the slot TS in register with the elevator slirru i, so tho: the basket may be locked to or disconnected fronf the carrier by an upward movement of the stirrup. Assumingill at the basket is detached, as indicated in Fig. (i, and it is desired lo attach the basket to the carrier, 129 the operator pulls on the lifting cords, thus moving the stirrup iuiward, the springs (38 yielding to allow this upward movement of the stirrup. As the bail moves upward, the bar 79 of the stirrup plate passes up into the slot'IS, and the upper order-king section of the bar forces the locking pawl 83 back out of the slot 78 and passes above the end of the pawl. As soon as the locking bar has passed, the locking pawl swings forward through 3 he recess 82 and under the uppereection of he bar, as indicated in Fig. 2. As the loclr lug pawl moves into this position the upper end of the actuating pawl B5engeges the locking bar on the bail plate, the lower end of the actuating pawl is swung into the slot l l as indicat d in Fig. 2. When the stirrup is lowered into the position indicated in 2 to allow the despatching of the carrier, the lev 7 yields to allow the pivot- .86 and the lower end of the actuating pawl to more outward to allow the passage of the stirrup. As soon as the stirrup has passed below the lower end oi the actuating pawl, the lever 87 springs back into the position indicated in Fig. 2., bringing the lower end of the actuating pawl into the slot 78. When it is desired to disconnect the basketv from the carri r, the stirrup is raised, and as it moves upward into the slot 78, the lower end of the actuating pawl-85 is engaged by an inclined surface 96 on the stirrup bar, and the pawl and its carrying lever 87 are swung outward into the position indicated in Fig. During this outward movement of the actuating 'peivl antilever 83",- the locking pawl 83 is still held in position by its engagement with the locking bar 79, the spring 90 yielding toe-110W the movement of the'act uatmg pawl and its carrying lever ,with relation to the locking pawl, the tensionon the spring sing increesed by the movement of the lever and pawl. After the stirrup engages the bottom of the bar 79,

the continued upvverd'nioveinent of the stirs rup carries the bar upward so that the locking pawl: may swing into the position indicated in 5 under the inliuence of the spring 90. Now when thestirrup is lowerect, the l 'l plate moves down with it, so that the loc ling bar is carried past the lucking pawl and the basket is su} )ported and carried by the stirrup. l vhcn the bail plate passes out of the slot T8 the parts return to the position indicated in l i 0, Where they remain until the stirrup is again raised to connect the basket to the carrier.

Yihen the bail plate is raised into position to be engaged and locked by the locking puvvl, the latch 91! which locks the bail plate to the stirrup is diseuggigcd from the pin 95 on the stirrup by means pt cum ribs 07 formed on the arms 77 and arranged to engage arms 02% formed on the pawl and 4:) lVhen the stii'rupis raised to dis- 0 engage the bushel from the c rrier, the pin 0.3 on the stirrup is broughtinto position 0 be engaged by a hook on the latch 02. and as the arms $13 ride oil ot the lugs 07 during the downward movement of the bail plate, the hooked end of the latch posses under the pin. 05, thus automatically locking the bush 1 to the stirrup. I

in order that the basket may be securely retained tipou the carrier in case the lock-u ing devices should be imperfectly engaged or shouldli'uil to operate properl supplementary or safety locking device is provided. This device comprises a locking; lever 99 pivoted at 100 to the bail and provided with locking 101 arranged to overlie'lugs 102 formed on the arms 7?. The locking lever is pressed normally forward by a spring 103. When the basket is locked to the carrier, as indicated in Figs 2 and 3, the locking srins 101 cu gage the surfaces of the arms 7'7, and lie at some distance above the lugs 102. If for any reason the locking pawl 83 should not be properly engaged, and the basket. should fall, then the arms 101 on the locking lever 09 would come into engagement with tie lugs 102, and would support the basket and prevent. its detachment fr in the carrier. llhen the stirrup is raised to disconnect the basket from the carrier, a pin 10% in one of the stirrup arinsengages the lower end of the locking lever 99 and swings the lever outward so that. the locking arms 101 iroe oi the lugs 102 a the basket is lowered with the stirrup.

hen the basket is detached from the carrier and is supported and caried on thc stirrup the carrier should be retained so that it, cannot be deep-etched until the basket is again attached thereto, and should be retained in proper relation or register wit the elevating mechanism so thatthe basket will be automatically locked to thecerrier when it is raised by the elevating mechanism. The apparatus is accordingly provided with ineans for retaining the carrier at the end of the way and in register with the mechanism for raising and lowering; the carrier whenever the basket or receptacle is not attachedto the'cari'ier. This feature of the invention in its broader aspects contour plates the prmision of any suitable means for thus retaining the carrier at the end or the way and preventing the despatch of the carrier when the bushet or receptacle is not attached thereto. in order however, to avoid complication ohparts and to insure the retention of the carrier in accurate register with the median-ism for raising and lowering the receptacle, the latching devices ivuicli cushion the carrier and retain it at the end of the way are utilized as a part of the mechanism, for preventing the despatch of the carrier when the receptacle is detached. and means are provided for locking these latching 4 evices in engugeigient when the re eptacle is detached fronfthe carrier, nod for allowinglhe disengagement of these devices when the receptacle is attached to the ari'i er. In the construction shown, the devices for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the latching devices which retain tllc'currier at the end of the Way consist of-locliifig levers 105 pivoted at 1.06 to rec lul

Elf:

1,0873%8 till the carrier, and having their front ends arranged to be moved into and out of the path at stop pins 10? carried by the latch levers teland. The locking levers 105 are held in engagement with the arms 108 ot'actuating levers 109 by springs 110. The actuating levers 109 are yieldinglyforced in a direction to lift the locking levers into position where' they will engage the pins 107 and lock the latch levers A and 45 in position by springs Till. The ends of the levers 109 are arranged to be engaged and operated by a pin 112 mounted on the carrier, and extendin down into the slot 78 When the bail plate is locked to the car rier, as indicated in Fig. 2, the locking bar 79 engages the pin 112 and holds it in its upper position so that the locking levers 105 are retained in the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. lVhen' in this position, the locking levers do not interfere With the movement of the latching levers when the propelling cord is operated to despatch the carrier. When the bail plate is disengaged from the carrier, the pin 112 drops to the position indicated in Fig. 6, and the levers 105 are swung up into the dotted line position in Fig. 2, where their free ends are back of the pins 107 and prevent the rocking of the latch levers when a pull is exerted on the propelling cords, and thus prevent the dcspatching of the carrier or the movement i he carrier out of register With the elevatinc, .aieclianisni until the basket has been attached to the carrier. The devices for retaining the carrier in position at the end of the way are thus controlled by the receptacle, and it is necessary that the receptacle be attached. to the carrier in order that the carrier may be despatched or may be moved out of proper rc :ler with the elevating mechanism.

in order that the Cl,

iage may be retarded as it approaches tin: ids oi? the way on which it travels, the rriage is provided with surfaces arranged deflect the Wires 1 and i as the CEII'I'ltlg'G approaches the end of the way, and thus itrictionally retard the cart-ago. In the construction shown, the wheels 1 1 are utilized as surfaces for engaging the wire 1. and the carriage is provided with friction blocks 113 for engaging the wire 4, the space between the blocks and wheels being less than the spacing otthc 1 wires. so that the blocks and wheels coilpcrate to deflect the wires, and to frictionally retard the carriage as it approaches the end 5 of the way. During the travel of the can riage along the way between stations, th sac of the wire 1 is such that there is no braking or retarding efii'cct produced by the engagement of the wires with the opposing surfaces formed by the wheels 1.4: and the friction blocks 113.

Having set forth the nature and object of the invention, and specifically describ d one form of apparatus in which it may be bodied, what I claim is l. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a carrier provided with a vertical slot, a receptacle provided with a lock ing bar adapted to enter the slot when the receptacle is raised, a lockihg pawl pivoted at one side of the slot, and means for yieldingly holding the pawl across the slot so that the pawl will yield as the bar enters the slot and then pass across the slot beneath the bar, the bar beingtree to move in the slot above the pawl clear 01' the latter, substantially as described.

2. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a calrrier provided with a vertical slot a receptacle provided with a loclcing bar adapted to enter the slot when the receptacle is raised, a locking pawl pivoted at one side of the slot, means for yieldingly holding the locking pawl across the slot so that thepawl will yield as the bar enters the slot and then pass across the slot beneath. the bar, the bar being free to move in the slot above the pawl clear of the latter, an actuating part for disengaging the loclting pawl from the locking bar, and means for holding the actuating part out of the path of the locking bar when the receptacle is'detached from the carrie' and with a portion thereof projecting into the slot in said path when the receptacle is attached to the carrier, substantially as described.

A store service apparatus, having, in combiimtion, a way, a carrier adapwd to travellhercon provided with a vertical slot, a receptacle provided with a locking bar adapted to enter the slot when. the reccptaclc is raised, a locking pawl pivoted at one side of the slot, means for yioldingly holding the locking pawl across the slot so that the pawl will yield as. the bar enters the slot and then passacross the slot beneath the bar, the bar beingi'reeto move in the slot above the pawl clear of the latter, latching devices tor retaining the carrier at the ends of the way, and means for lockingthe lat 'hcs operated by the move ment of'the locking bar in the slot above the locking pawl, substantially as described.

A store service apparatus, havin combination, a way, a carrier adapted to travel thereon provided. with a vet slot, a dctachable receptacle provided vith a locking bar adapted to cnlcr the slot when. the re eptacle is raised, a locking pawl pivotcd at one side of the slot, means for yieldingly holding; the locking pawl across the slot so that the pawl will yield as the bar enters the slot and then pass across the slot beneath the bar, the bar being free to move in the slot abovev the pawl clear of the lat-- ter, latchi=v 1 for retaining" the can rier at tln the Way, locking levers tltl llllai lot it ll o for prevent latching d the its combination, a caltacle, s lccring pawl a call lock. the recent..-

to be locked thereby, an elev ing lowering receptacle, an actuatin now held in ition to opei by the upward mover. the el vator when the receptacle is locked to the carrier, and c spring connection through. which the loclc ing pawl is actuated when released by the receptacle, substantially as cescrihcd.

. 6. A store service apparatus, l'iaving, in combination, a carrier, detachable receptacle, an elevator for raising anc lowering the receptacle, a locking niecl'ianiszn, sai receptacle provided with p adapted for locking engagement with said mechanism, said mechanism comprising a locking Inenr ber held yieldingly in position to engage and lOCl said part of the receptacle when operatively disposed with respect thereto, an actuating member for die .gag-ing said locking member from said part and provicledwith means for retaining said actuating member in. posi'ion to he engaged by a part of the elevator when the receptacle is locked to the carrier, and means, including a resilient connection letween said. 1118K! hers, whereby the actuating inernlier, wnen so engaged by said part of the ele- :torr may effect said disengagement of said locking member from said port of the receptscle, substantially as described.

7. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a carrier, 2 detac 'iable r septacle, an elevator for raising and lowering the receptacle, a locking pawl arranged to automatically lock the receptacle to the car rier, on actuating pawl hold in inactive po sition when the receptacle is detached from the carrier, means for holding actuat ing pawl in po ticn to he engaged by the elevator whenthereceptacle is locked to the carrier, and means, including a resilient connection between said pawls, for disengaging 5 1d locking pawl from said recon tacle when actuatingpnwl is 01081: tively engaged by said eleva'on; and the lat- J. 1.

service apparatus, having in a carrier provided with. a vera. L ile receptacle provided :r to entering said rece anactuatingpa I the actuating pawl spring connection he i and locking pawl.

a or" the actuating pawl in 9 p of the elevator when. the r'ceptacle is locked to the arrier, substentialy cs described.

3 S. A store service apparatus, having, in

combination, a carrier provided with a ver tical slot, a detachable receptacle provided with a bar for engaging the slot, an elevator for raising and lowering the receptacle, a locking pawl pivoted to the carrier, an actnatinr nawl having its upper end arranged L0 be engaged by the locking bar on the carrier and its lower end arranged to he to one side or" the slot in the carrier when the receptacle is detached from the carrier, and to be projected into the slot when the upper end of the pawl is engaged by thelociring bar, and connections between the act ing pawl and locking pawl for disengaging the locking pawl, substantially as described. 10. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a carrier, detachable recentacle, a locking; mechanism comprising a locking pawl 84, an actuatingpawl 35, a carrying lever 87 upon which the actuating pawl is pivotally mounted, and-springs for yieldingly holding the growls and lever in normal poution and for yieldingly connecting the actuating and locking pawls, substantially as described.

11. A store service apparatns, having, in cmnhination, carrier provided with a vertical slot, a receptacle provided with a lock-l ing liar adapted to enter the slot when the receptacle is raised, a locking'pawl pivoted at one side of the slot, a stop shoulder on the other side of the slot, means for yieldingly holding the locking pawl across the slot and in engagement with the shoulder so than the pawl will yield as th bar enters the slot and then pass across the slot beneath the bar, substantially as described. 12. A; store service apparatus, having, combination, a carrier provided with vertical slot, a'receptacle pr vided with a loclring has adapted to enter the slot when the receptacle raised, a lochingpawl pivoted at one side of the slot, a stopnt the other int side of the slot, nie ins for yieldingly holcli3. new service apparatus, having, in I cornb'nation, a way, as carrier adapted to travel thereon end provided. with a vertical slot, a receptacle provided with a locking bar adopted to, enter said slot, a locking pawl held jviel dingly across "the slot i till sition to allow the introduction and prevent the withdrawal of the locking bar, latching devices for retaining the carrier at the end of the way, means for locking the latches operated by the locking bar when the re-' ceptacle is attached to the carrier, substan tially as described.

H. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a way, a carrier adapted to travel thereon, a detachable receptacle, latching devices for retaining the carrier at the end of the Way, locking levers for prevent-- ing the disengagement of the latching devices, actuating levers arranged ,to be operated by the receptacle when attached to the carrier, and. yielding connections be tween the actuating levers and latching levers, substantially as described.

A store service apparatus, having, inv con'ibination, two parallel Wires, a. carrier mounted to travel on one of said Wires, and wire engaging surfaces on the carrier arranged to deflect the wires as the carrier approaches the end of the Wires to friction-- ally retard the carrier, substantially as described.

it}. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, two parallel wiles, a carrier provided with supporting wheels arranged to travel on one of said wires, and a surface onv the carrier arranged to engage the other wire and cooperating with the wheels to dellect the wires out of parallelism as. the carrier approache the end ol the way, and

I to trictionally retard the carriers, substantially as described. 4

17. A, store service apparatus, having, in combination, two parallel wires, a. carrier provided with wheels arranged to travel on one of said wires, a friction plate engaging the other wire, the space between the plate and wheel being than the spacings of the Wires, substantially as described.

18. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, two parallel wires arranged one above the other, a carrier provided with wheels arranged to travel upon the upper wire, and friction plates engaging the lower 7 wire and arranged at a distance below the wheels less than the spacing of the wires, substantially as described. I

19. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a way, a carrier mounted to travel on the way, a. head plate for sup porting the way, tuber extending parallel with the way on opposite sides of the path of the carrier, socket sleeves secured to the ends of thetubes, telescoping rods adjust-- ably secured to the socket sleeves, a fork secured to the ends of the rods, and, a propelling cord supported in the path of the carrier by the fork, substantially as described.

20. A store service apparatus, having, in combination, a Way, a carrier adapted to tr on the 'ajvga. head plate for support ing the Way, tul cs secured to the head plate and extending parallel ith the n-ay on. op posite sides of the path 015 the carrier, soc-hot sleeves secured to the ends of the tubes, elcvator cords, and supporting devices for the elevating cords secured in the socket sleeves, substantially as described.

21. ll. store service apparatus, having, in-

combination, a ray, a carrier adapted to travel on the way], av detachable receptacle, mechanism 't'or raising and lowering the receptacle, devices for automatically locking the receptacle to the carrier when raised, a supplemental locking lever on the receptacle provided with a locking arm arranged to overlie a shoulder on the carrier when the receptacle is locked to the carrier by the main locking devices, and a device on. the elevating Ineclr anisni for engaging the lower end oi? the lever and swinging it free of the shoulder when the receptacle is carried by the elevating mechanism, substantiall as described.

22. A store service app alas, having, in combination, a way, a carrier inotuited to travel on the way, a detachable rcceg itacle, an elevator for raising and lowering the ceptacle, devices for automatically locking the receptacle to the carrier when raised'by the elevator, and for unlocking the recap taclc when the elevator is raised itheut the receptacle, a locking pawl. on the receptacle for engaging the elevator and inching the receptacle thereto, and means on the carrier for disengaging the loot:' pawl from. the

elevator when the receptacle is in position to be locked to the carrier, substantially as described.

23. .93. store service apparatus, having, in combination, a carrier, a detachable receptacle, an elevator for raising and lowering the receptacle, devices for locking; the receptacle to the carrier vmen raised, by the elevator, and for unlocking the receptacle when the. elevator is raised without the receptacle, a, spring ssed locking,- mwl 9i? pivoted'on the re .l and a cam 92' on the carrier for the pawl 'i'roin the elevator w ptacle raised on to t to the carrier, suby described.

24. A store service apparatus, having, in combn'iation, a carrier and a. receptacle adapted to be attachedito said carrier, one

of said parts being provided with a vertical recess and the other of said parts being pro vided with a inching element adapted to be entered into said recess when the receptacle is raised toward the carrier, a member adapted :tor engagement with said locking element and mounted adjacent the walls at said recess, and tor vieldingly but definitely holding a part oi said member in the recess in substantially vertical alinenlent with said locking element so that said infill}- till) I will yield as said element is inire-ciueecl o Sfliii recess and thereafter be disposecl in said r cess normally in substantial juxtaposition {0 said element whereby t pi-event 3%?51IfifiiO-R 0i said receptacle from said caririer, said element being free thereafter for further enfiiyinto sa'i recess 'elaiively ewe from-said member, and clear of the iet'te; said holding means adapted to posin said member in said recess iiithe defiilfi; manner above referred to. substantially gardless ef the zmgie witlfiespeet to the herizentel at which said carrier may imp- }:en te be disposed, an elevetoi for raising (l lowering said receptacle, and means eoihig with said elevator for releasing saiil king element from said member when "is element is at such time entered farther so said recess in manner aforesaid.

i A store service a -nmtus. havin in from the locking ban and menus for receptacle is raised, e lacking pawl eiveied,

m: one side of the slot, means i1 yie fielding the locking pew}. ewe-es t so that the pawl will yield as the h;

the slot and then pass across iih SiOe bethe slot shave the pawl clear of it an actuating art separ'eieenci S8101 pmvl for disengaging the loelmig pawl 

